But he warned the club might have to rethink its definition of success if it doesn’t join in football’s version of the arms race.

“You can do two types of football - you pay a lot of money and take the best players. The other way is to try and put a bit of money in and then hard work.

“We are in the middle. We are working and trying to do our best during the transfer market.

“You go in the transfer market you have to know that, if you want the best, you have to spend a lot of money. Otherwise you have to go in the middle and spend £20-30m.

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Antonio Conte admits Chelsea were never really in the race for Alexis Sanchez

“If you want to reach the best targets, you must be prepared to spend a lot of money. This is the truth.

“Last season, I think we did a fantastic job and did a little miracle. This season is showing this.

“But you have to know that the situation changes. The past can be one way. The present can be in another way. The future can be in another way.

“What happened three years, 10 years or eight years ago was totally different.

“Now I think that we have to fight. We have to fight with our work.

“I think last season we won the league and finished with £15m profit. No one mentions this.

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Chelsea are close to signing Edin Dzeko from Roma

“In the past, this had never happened. For this reason, the situation changed.

“When the situation changes, you have to fight to try to give all of yourself for Chelsea. Now, for sure, United and Manchester City stay there.”

Conte will be without Alvaro Morata due to a back problem while midfielder Cesc Fabregas is nursing a hamstring injury.

New £15m signing Ross Barkley will be on the bench.

Edin Dzeko is set to play in Roma’s Serie A clash at Sampdoria, but with Chelsea offering the striker a two-and-a-half year deal worth around £130,000-a-week, they are confident of luring him back to the Premier League.